Superstitions: Ear Piercing Improves Eyesight

From the European Middle Ages, a superstitious belief that piercing one ear improved long-distance or failing vision, led to the practice among sailors and explorers. An even older belief (for reasons lost to antiquity) is from sailors who believe that wearing a gold earring will protect them from drowning at sea. Additionally, it is thought that that a gold earring was worn by sailors to ensure payment for a proper Christian burial in the event that they might drown at sea.( Dictionary of Superstitions, wiki – ear-piercing, wiki-body-piercing)